Philippines (2012 onwards, inc OEF)

[SWJ Blog]

TSG Intel Brief: The Philippines Battles Abu Sayyaf

I have copied the one comment made via Dave Maxwell, from a Filipino contact:

I have a great deal of respect for Ali Soufan and the Soufan Group. Their report is accurate. I remain concerned about the acts of the Abu Sayyaf Group. BUT I temper that with some context. They are vastly reduced in size of actual hard members. They still get wide assistance from family and relationship based ''supporters.'' Those people are not necessarily ideological supporters but aid in some way due to social obligations. The ASG is largely confined to Basilan and Jolo. They don't have core reach the way they used to have. None of the groups in that region do. As the central government has improved schools, elections, roads to markets, and other governance issues the support for these people has withered. ASG's claim of allegiance to Daesh is still unclear as to scope, meaning and impact. Which way does money flow? We're not really sure. What fighters have gone to,Stria etc for training? We're not clear. Soufan raises good points, but I'm not raising my blood pressure. Yet.